Don't own any Naruto characters

Kakashi woke to silence. His one eye darted about in the dimly lit room. His genin were sleeping soundly to his right. Something woke him up from his slumber. He glanced around without moving, his senses on high alert. Another person was in the room. Kakashi quietly removed a kunai from his pouch. Pushing up his hitate, he scanned the room for chakra.

"Can't sleep, Lord Hiashi?" Kakashi asked softly. The Hyuuga merely nodded.

"I was checking on the genin. As a clan head, it is my duty to protect those without a clan. I take those responsibilities without hesitation, as you well know." Hiashi said quietly. Kakashi nodded his assent. Hiashi Hyuuga made be a bane to some but to others a friend. He did not hide from responsibilities as some other clan heads did. The civilian council feared him because of his sway over all other council members. Kakashi knew that Hiashi feared for the genin because he knew that the coup d tat of Uchiha would have had genin like his daughter used as breeding stock. With Orochimaru as Hokage, worse would be done to them. He had been Minato-sensi teammate as had Fugukua Uchiha, the only Uchiha who stood against the others with Itachi. Minato never mentioned this place to them because they would feel it needed to be reported. Hiashi had tried to adopt Naruto many times over but the council forbade it. Kakashi knew that Rania would be pissed at the village that let a boy suffer. Truly, he was looking forward to seeing her "diplomacy" concerning Konoha. Hiashi quietly activated his byukugan.

"Kakashi, we are being watched. Four people on a hidden raft. They are ROOT." Hiashi said softly. Kakashi nodded. ROOT operatives were about to get a lesson in breaking treaties. Quiet footsteps greeted the shinobis. A knock sounded on the door once then two sharp knocks. Tsunade stuck her head in.

"Ah, Lady Tsunade, I see you're aware of our friends. What did you need of me?" Hiashi said. Tsunade smiled.

"Our escort doesn't want us to engage the enemy as they have not engaged us. We need some ROOT as...pawns...to take a message to Konoha. We care not to cause an international incident. Besides, BOTH of you need rest. So sleep. Hiashi, your daughters and nephew will be worried. Weqq are in good company."

"Yes, Lady Tsunade. Good night." Hiashi said. Kakashi drifted off to sleep as well. Tsunade left the sleeping quarters to go to the upper deck. Funding a quiet spot, she looked out over the sea. Some hokage I turned out to be. The will of fire is gone from Konoha. Minato's sacrifice all those years ago was for nothing. Kushina's death from birthing Naruto didn't help matters any. Something was in the wind then. Oh, Sensi, if you could only see how they acted! You would be ashamed! I, Tsunade Senju, failed Konoha! I failed in everything. Damn council overstepping their bounds. Villagers disregarding laws, shinobi disregarding orders. Yep, I screwed up. Sorry Grandpa, Uncle, Sensi. I failed. Tsunade thought tears in her eyes. A lone figure sat watching her. His own eyes moist. He jumped down so he coukd comfort her.

"I really made a mess, huh, Jirayia?" Tsunade said knowing her teammates signature chakra.

"No, hime. The council did all this. Not you. They tied your hands so to speak." Jirayia said gently laying his hand on Tsunade's shoulder. Tsunade looked into her teammate's eyes and seen he only spoke true. The Hokages had let the council run unchecked for too long and now the loyal leaf shinobi were thrown to the curb while others reap a wealthy harvest. She knew that Konoha's peopme were blinded by foolish grudges but didn't know that the Council of Civilians were egging it on. Encouraging the beatings, destruction, even failures of Naruto. If it hadn't been for a few good peopke, Naruto may have well become the demon they thought him to be.

"I don't know if the lands were we are heading even know about shinobi, but its a start for all of us to redo the Will of Fire. To keep it burning bright. Sensi would have understood that, Tsunade." Jirayia said as Tsunade sighed.

"They know of shinobi. I've...been there a long time ago. Before the second shinobi war. I have...family...there."

"What? I thought all your Senju family was dead."

"They are. I'm talking about Uzumaki kin. A cousin, aunt, and uncle. If the are still alive."

"They are, Tsunade. Just who do you think sent these ships? She doesn't easily forget her younger cousins." Danok said from the shadows. Tsunade half smiled. Jirayia looked at Tsunade curiously.

"Jirayia, have you ever seen the city from the Ashes? No. Well you will. Thats our destination isn't it, Danok?"

"Yes. If you will look over to your right you will see..."

"Velos"